The patient is admitted with generalized fatigue and a low hemoglobin and hematocrit ( anemia ).The patient denies vomiting and states that his last bowel movement earlier that day was normal in color and consistency.However,because GI blood loss can be a cause of anemia,the nurse should expect to:
A) obtain a stool sample for guaiac testing.
B) chart that the patient reports the presence of melena in his stool.
C) inspect the patient's next stool for the presence of coffee-ground contents.
D) obtain guaiac positive stools only if bleeding is current.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

GI blood loss is often occult or detected only by testing the stool with a chemical reagent (guaiac).Stool and nasogastric drainage can test guaiac positive for up to 10 days after a bleeding episode.Melena is shiny,black,foul-smelling stool and results from the degradation of blood by stomach acids or intestinal bacteria.Vomiting or drainage from a nasogastric tube that yields blood or coffee-ground-like material is associated with upper GI bleeding.However,blood or coffee-ground-like contents may not be present if bleeding has ceased or if it arises beyond a closed pylorus.

The Patient Is Admitted with Generalized Fatigue and a Low